Combination setter for organs



1952 E. L. KENT 2,61 ,810

COMBINATION SETTER FOR ORGANS Filed April 21, 1948 2 SHEETS SPEET 1 E. KENT 2,612,810

COMBINATION BETTER FOR ORGANS Oct. 7, 1952 2 SHEETS--SPEET 2 l l l' Filed April 21, 1948 uw' l f dull 4%) P S Patented Oct. 7, 1952 COMBINATION SETTER FOB ORGANS Earle L. Kent, Elkhart, Ind., assignor to C. G.

Conn Ltd., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application April 21, 1948, Serial No. 22,430

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a combination setter for use with an organ or the like and which is particularly suitable for use with an electric organ. p

It is frequently necessary to set an organ to play tones corresponding to actuation of a particular combination of stop tablets at successive times during a relatively short time interval. Thus, for example, the organist may desire repeatedly to play a combination of the swell 8' diapason and 8 flute. To facilitate this operation, it is desirable to provide a singlecombination piston or element which may be actuated to set the stop tablets as required to produce the combination tone.

However, it is not possible to provide a separate piston for every combination of stop tablets desired to be set in the foregoing manner since the number of combinations is so great that an organ ofprohibitive size would be necessary. In accordance with the present invention, this problem is overcome by providing capture type mech anism for-this purpose, the specific mechanism shown comprising a plurality of axially shiftable rods each having a number of swingable contact fingers. Each rod has an associated combination piston orelement which, when depressed, causes a preselected tone combination to sound when the organ is played. Selection of the desired combination o'f-stop tablets is achieved by depressing the combination piston and the stop tablets corresponding to the desired tones and simultaneously depressing a common setting element or button. v

The present invention further resides in providing means by which the combination of stop tablet settings, corresponding to actuation of each of the several combination pistons or elements; may be fixed by depressing the corresponding stop tablets and then depressing a suitable common setting button or element. This permits the organist to' preset the mechanism in a manner to which he is accustomed by reason of his ability to play theorgan, and it is unnecessary to learn a new set of controls for the purpose of presetting the combinations. I

The term capture type combination setter is used herein to designate mechanism whereby a selected combination of stop tablet settings may be captured for future resetting upon appropriate actuation of a combination piston.

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide an improved capture type stop tablet combination setter for an organ.

More specifically, it is an object of the present 2 invention to provide an improved combination setter for an organ which may be preset by depressing the organ stop tablets corresponding to the selected tones to be played by the organ.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved capture type combination setter for an organ and in which several preset stop tablet combinations may be selectively reset by actuation of their respective combination pistons or simultaneously reset by actuation of a common combination piston or element.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved combination setter for an organ or the like which is simple in construction and reliablein operation to the end that it may be inexpensively constructed and requires little maintenance.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention, itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view showing a two-element combination setter constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 0

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary isometric view of one of the operating rods and a finger mounted thereon;

Figure 3 is a view like Fig. 2 but showing the operating rod in the lifted or engaging position and the setting bar in co-acting relationship therewith;

Figures 4a and 4b are fragmentary diagramatic elevation'al views showing the operation of the setting bar mechanism; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified embodiment of the present invention incorporating means simultaneously to reproduce a plurality of tone combinations.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown at l0 and I 2 a pair of vertically disposed axially shiftable operating rods. Each of these rods is of material having good electrical conductivity, such as, for example, aluminum. Bearings l I and 13 are provided to sustain the rods in a vertical position for up and down axial shifting movements, cups l5 and l I being provided to limit the downward movements. A pair of lift coils or solenoids I4 and i6 aredisposed about the upper portions of each of these rods and operate when energized by suitable current flow, to lift these rods against the action of gravity, the rod l terminating in magnetic portion [0a and rod [2 terminating in magnetic portion l2a for coaction with the solenoids l4 and 16, respectively. The rods H3 and !2 are selectively lifted by depression of the combination pistons or elements 18 and 28 respectively, these pistons completing the electric circuits which may be traced from ground through the source 22, the element I8 or 20, and the winding M or [6 back to the ground. Thus, actuating the elements H3 or 20 operates selectively to lift the rods I0 and 12.

A plurality of lengthy horizontal fingers 24, 26, 26, and are swingably supported on the rods 1 0 and i Z for axial shifting movements with these rods. The mechanism for this purpose is described in further detail hereafter. These finers are-constructed of steel or other suitable conducting material.

A pair of fixed contact bars are associated with each tier of horizontally aligned fingers. The contact bars associated with the fingers 26 and 28 are indicated at 32 and 34, whereas the contact bars associated with the fingers 24 and 3. are indicated at 36 and 38.

The stationary contact bars 32, 34, 36, and 38 each support appropriate contact buttons 32a, 32b, 34a, etc. These buttons are positioned for engagement by the fingers 24, 26, 28, and 30 when the appropriate operating rods are axially lifted by energization of the solenoids i4 and IS. The contact buttons 32a, 32b, 36a and 36b are engaged by the fingers when in the left hand positions as seen in Figure 1 and the contact buttons 34a, 34b, 38a and 38?) are engaged when the fingers are swung to the right hand positions as seen in that figure.

In addition to the fixed contact buttons which are cooperatively associated with the fingers, there are provided axially shiftable setting bars 40 and 42, each of which is horizontally disposed and has a plurality of notches 40a, 40b, 42a and 52b for engagement with the appropriate contact fingers when the operating rods l0 and I2 are in the lifted positions corresponding to energization of the solenoids l4 and IS.

The setting bars- 40 and 42 are each biased to intermediate or central positions by the opposed springs 44, 46, 43, and 56 to cause these bars to assume intermediate positions when released. Solenoids 52, 54, 55 and 53 aredisposed at the opposite ends of these bars and the end of each bar terminates in a magnetic plunger portion 4lc, 49d, 42c and 42d, which cooperates with the associated solenoid to produce axial shifting movements of the corresponding setting bar. When solenoids 52 and 56 are energized, the bars 40 and 42 are shifted in the left-hand direction, as seen in Fig. 1, whereas when the, solenoids 54 and 58 are energized, these bars are shifted in the right-hand direction, as seen in that figure.

In the view of Fig. 1, there are shown two stop tablets, one being generally indicated at 60 and the other being indicated generally at 62. Each of these comprises a pivotally supported key portion 680'. and 62a, respectively, which executes selective switching action against the contacts 60b and B00 and 62b and 620 respectively. The magnetic arms 60d and 62d form extensions of the key portions 60a and 62a. Interconnecting elements (not shown) are provided to energize the organ circuitsin accord with the setting of stop tablets 613 and 82 to produce the desired tone combinations when the organ is played.

Referring now to the stop tablet 60, it will be apparent that solenoids 60c and BM are positioned on opposite sides of the magnetic portion 60d and are thus operable when energized to raise or lower the portion 60d to tilt the key 60a in the same manner as when manually operated. Similarly, solenoids 62c and 62f ar positioned on opposite sides of the magnetic portion 62d of stop tablet 62 to operate that key in accordance with the energization thereof.

The solenoids 69c and 60] are selectively energized from the battery 22 by two separate circuits, one corresponding to combination piston I8 and the other corresponding to combination piston 20. The former circuit may be traced from battery 22 through conductor 66 and lift-solenoid I4 which serves to raise the operating rod II to cause finger 26 selectively to engage contact 32a or contact 34a. The solenoid 60c or GUI is thereby energized through the circuit which may be traced from contact 32a or contact 34a, through the finger 26 and rod ID to the flexible pigtail conductor 68. That conductor is connected to conductor 10 which, in turn, connects to conductor 64 through the lower normally closed switch element 12b of the setter element 12 and the combination piston [8.

The other circuit for selectively energizing solenoids 60c and 60) is set up by axially shifting operating rod [2 until the finger 28 engages contact buttons 32b and 34b, this being accomplished by energization of solenoid l8 by actuation of combination piston 20. In this case, the energizing circuit to solenoid 50c or SM may be traced from the appropriate contact element 32b or 34b, finger 28, rod l2, and pigtail connection 14, to conductor III. From conductor 10, the circuit may further be traced through lower switch element 12b of setter element 12 and combination piston 28 to battery 22.

The solenoids 62a and 62 are selectively energized through the contact buttons 36a and 38a when operating rod I0 is lifted by energization of solenoid M or through contact buttons 36b or 3827 when operating rod I2 is lifted by energize.- tion of solenoid Is. This establishes circuit connections like those previously described with reference to the fingers 26 and 28 and which operate to actuate the stop tablet 62. v i

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that the stop tablets 60 and 62 are selectively operated when the operating rods [0 and I2 are lifted. The particular stop tablets energized are determined by the positions of the fingers 24, 28. 23, and 35 as they are swung about the corresponding operating rods. In accordance with the present invention these fingers are swung to predetermined positions to preselect the combination of stop tablets corresponding to actuation of the combination pistons l8 and 20.

When the operating rod l 0 is lifted by energizing solenoid t4, the fingers 24 and 26 are raised to positions in registry with the notches 40a and 42a, of the setting bars 40 and 42. When operating red It is in this condition, shifting the rod 40, for example, along its axis causes corresponding swinging movements of the finger 26 as it is engaged by the edge portions of the notch 4011. This movement is determined by the energization of the selected solenoid 52 or 54 which overcomes the bias of springs 44 and 46 to shift bar 40 from the neutral position.

The operation Of the setter bars may best be understood by reference to Figures 4a and 4b which are enlarged side elevational views of the portion of the bar 40 adjacent notch 40a. As will be evident from Figure 4a which showsthe bar 40 in the neutral position, the notch 40a'is of sufficient width to register with the finger 26 -regardless of the position of that fingera's it is swung about the rod II). This will be apparent from the extreme positions of this fingcnas indicated by the dotted lines of that figure. In Figure 4b the bar 40 is shown'in the'extreme left hand position. It will be apparent that in this position the edge of notch 40a bot-. toms against the finger 26 to swing-that finger to the left hand position for engagement with the contact button 32a, Figure 1. The function of the setter element I2 and the contact elements 601) and 600 is selectively' to energize the solenoids 52 and 54 when the corresponding combination piston I8 or is actu ated. The energizing circuit for solenoid 54, for example, may be traced from the ground con nection to the key 60 through contact element 600, solenoid 54, and conductor I6 to the upper contact element 12a of setter element I2. When thesetter element is depressed, contact button 12a i'sin electrical conducting relationship with central finger 12b which is connected, to combination piston I8 by conductor 18 and which is, in turn, selectively connected through that element to conductor 64 and battery 22. An energizing circuit for solenoid 54 may be traced in like manner through the combination piston 20. Similarly, solenoid 52 is energized by the circuit which may be traced through contact element 65b to ground and through conductor 80 and setter element I2 to battery 22 the latter connection being selectively established by combination piston I8 or combination piston 20.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the setting bar 40 is shifted by solenoids s2 and 54 when the setter element I2 and thecombination piston I8 or the combination piston 20 are simultaneously actuated, and that the direction of shift of bar 40 is determined by the position of key 60. It will further be observed that when combination piston I8 is actuated, the operating rod If] is lifted to position finger 26 for engagement with notch 40a of setting bar 40 and when player element 20 is actuated, the operating rod I2 is lifted to position finger 28 for engagement with notch 40b of setting bar 40. e

The solenoids 55 and 58 which operate to shift th setting bar 42 are connected to the contacts 02b and 620 of key 62 in the same, manner as are the solenoids 52 and 54 with respecttocontact elements 602) and 600; Consequently, ,the'bar' 42 acts to swing the fingers 24 and in'accord with the position of the key 62 at the time setter element "I2 is actuated and the selected combination piston I8 or 20 is actuated. I

The setter element I2 performs the further function of de-energizing solenoids 60c, 60], 62c and 62f when the combinations are being established. This operation is achieved by contact button T20 which is disconnected from finger 12d when the setter element 12 is actuated, thereby breaking the energizing circuit for these solenoids by interrupting the connection between operating rods I0 and I2 and'the battery 22. This prevents energization of the coils 60e,,60),., 52c, and 62 when the combination .pistons arcticpressed during the setting operation.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that when the organist desires toset up a predetermined combination of stop tablets to be set up upon actuation of combination pistons I8 or '20,'he merely sets'up the stop tablet combination desired to be captured and then depresses setter element 12 and the combination piston- (0 or 20, depending upon which combination-piston he desires to establish the combination of stop tablets. If at any future time he desires to set up this combination of stop tablets without havingto depress the corresponding stop tablets, he merely actuates the corresponding element l8 or 20. Thus, the mechanism of the present in* vention operates to providecapture of the stop tablet setting corresponding to the initial settin of the stop tablets and reproduces that setting upon actuation of the corresponding combination piston.

In Figure 1, the combination piston I8, the stop tablet 60, and the setter element I2 are shown in actuated position, thereby lifting rod I0 and swinging fingers 26 and 24 to the left and right respectively. The rod I2 is in the unlifted' position and hence allows fingers 28 to drop out of registry with the corresponding notches in bars 40 and 42.

Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged fragmentary views of the operating rod I0 and the finger 26.

As will be evident from Fig. 2, the finger 26 is attached to the sleeve 82 which is freely sustained on the shaft ID. This sleeve rests on the fixed sleeve 84 which is held in fixed axial position relative to rod IDbyset-screw 84a. dotted lines of Fig. 2 show the finger 25 swung to position for engagement with the contact element 34a (FigureDlf In Figure 3, thesolidlines show the finger 26 in the lifted position for engagement withthe notch 40a. of the setting bar 40, while the dotted lines indicate the normal position of the finger Z6when theirod is in the position correspondin to de-energization of the solenoid I4. 1.

When the fingers 24, '26, 28, or 30- areonce swung to preselected positions, the organmay be playedindefinitely without altering these pOSitions since friction between thesleeves82 and the supporting collars B4 opposes swinging movements. of these elements. I In accordance with a modification. of themes-1 ent invention a plurality of operating rods are arranged to be actuated selectively by their indi. vidual combination pistons or simultaneouslyby a single combination piston. Onearrangement for this purpose is shown in Figure 5 where a plurality of lift coils are indicated atiflfl, I02, I04, I06, I08, H0, H2, H4, H6 and H8. Each-of-v these coils is operatively associated with anoperating rod in the same manner as thelift coils I4 and I6, Figure l.- j i .In addition to the main lift coils I00 to'l l8,- there are supplementary lift coils associated with th various operating rods. In Figure?) only coils I20 and I2I- are of this type although it will be understood that many of these may be provided. I

- As will be evident from Figure 5, the combination piston I 8 energizes lift coils I00, I04, I08 and H2 simultaneously by connecting the same to the battery '22, However, the combination piston '20 only energizes the single lift coil I20. Similarly combination piston 2! energizes the single lift coil I2I. Thus when combination piston 20 or 2| is actuated; only the settings controlled by shifting ofthe'operating rod controlled by coil I20 or coil I2I are produced whereas when combination piston I8 is actuated the settings controlled by shifting of the four operating rods controlled by coils I80, I04, I08 and H2 are produced.

.Theoperating rods controlled by the coils I00, I02 etc., Figure may be separated in space and in" addition, may control difierent ,stop tablets. Hence even though actuation of one of the operating rods controlled by a particular combination piston may not produce the necessary setting, the various operating rods in combination are capable of achieving this purpose. Moreover the use of a single combination piston l8 to actuate solenoids I00, I92, [D4, H3 3] and H2 renders it possible to produce a selected complex coupling combination without actuating'a plurality of independent stop tablets.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that in the apparatus of the present invention fingers 24, 26, 28 and 3B are movable in two senses, one constituting shifting motion with the corresponding operating rod and the other constituting swinging motion about that rod. Each finger is preset as to the latter motion by the corresponding setter bar 40 or 42 and all of the fingers on each operating rod are moved in the former sense by the shifting movements thereof when the associated player element is actuated.

In a practical organ it is convenient to provide a plurality of combination pistons l8 and to. provide for storage of a large number of stop tablet settings. However, a single setter element 12 may be common to all of these combination pistons, the setter element having as many switch elements as are required to satisfy the requirements of the combination pistons.

In the appended claim I have used the term capture type operating mechanism to denote mechanism such as that of operating rods [0 and I2 and which establishes a predetermined condition, such as the positions of fingers 24, 26, 2B and 30, to be retained for future use in resetting the stop tablets.

While elementsfili and B2 are referred to herein as swingable stop tablets, it will, of course, be understood that these may be any suitable type of electrically controlled switches such as, for example, plunger switches or the like. Moreover, the combination I8 and 20 may be any suitable switches such as, for example, key operated switches.

, While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will of course be understood'that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications both in the circuit arrangement and in the structures disclosed may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, of course, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A combination setter to capture a setting of stop tablets in an organ or the like comprising in combination, a setter element, a plurality of combination pistons, a plurality of capture type operating mechanisms, one corresponding to each of said combination pistons and operative in response to actuation of said setter element and the corresponding combination piston to establish a predetermined condition in accord with the condition of stop tablets at that time, and means operative in response'to actuation of each of said combination pistons to reset said stop tablets in accord with said condition of the corresponding operating mechanism.

- 2. A combination setter to capture a setting of stop tablets in an organ or the like comprising in combination, a setter element, a plurality of combination pistons, a plurality of capture type operating mechanisms, one corresponding to each: of said-combination pistons and operative in response'to actuation of said setter element and thecorresponding combination piston to establish a predetermined condition in accord with the condition of stop tablets at that time, means operative inresponse to actuation of each ofsaid combination pistons to reset said stop tablets in accord with said condition of the corresponding operatingmechanism, and a supplementary combination piston selectively operable to actuate a plurality of said operating mechanisms.

3. In a combination setter to capture a setting of stop tablets in an organ or the like, the improvement which comprises a plurality of sets of members, one member of each set corresponding to each of said stop tablets, said members each being movable in two senses and operable to actuate said stop tablets when in predetermined position in each of said senses, a manually operable combination piston associated with each set of members, means operable in response to actuation of said setter element and the combination piston corresponding to the set of which each member forms a part to move said member to said predetermined position in one sense when, the corresponding stop tablet is actuated, and means operable in response to actuation of said combination pistons simultaneously to move all the members of the corresponding set to said predetermined position in the other sense.

4. In acombination setter to capture a setting of stop tablets in an organ or the like, the improvement which comprises a plurality of sets of members, one member of .each set corresponding to each of said stop tablets, said members each being movable in two senses and operable to actuate said stop tablets when in predetermined position in each of said senses, a manually operable combination piston associated with each set of members, means operable in response to actuation of said setter element and the combination piston corresponding to the set of which each member forms a part to move that member to said predetermined position in one sense when the corresponding stop tablet is actuated, and means operable in response to actuation of said combination pistons simultaneously to move all the members of the corresponding set to said predetermined position in the other sense, said setter element including means operable to block operation of said last means when said setter element is actuated.

EARLE L. KENT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

